Friday, July 15, 2011

Anonymous poster hates me!

Hey guys. An anonymous poster just left this comment and I posted it even though they used the word "honest" in the first sentence but didn't leave their name. So they are honest about their feelings but not their identity. Fine. I thought I would leave my response here so you can all see how I feel about it. Anonymous said:

I'm going to be honest, this post really disappoints me. I think referring to west elm, etc, as crap when so many people are ecstatic to see items that are less expensive still used chicly is just snobby. It's insulting to people who have to actually save up to afford those items. Guess we can't attain beauty because it will still always be seen as crap.

The whole point of Domino, and now Lonny, is showcasing more accessible design. And yet the only thing you like is, as you actually pointed out yourself, over 300$ a yard fabric. Honestly the way you phrased this post has made me reconsider reading.

Ok, my turn. If you have been reading my blog for a while then you know I am usually being overly dramatic for the sake of dramatics, and don't really feel that strongly about what I say; it was mostly for a laugh. You, Anonymous, are not laughing so I can assume one of two things: either you haven't been a reader of mine long enough to know me or you are one of the millions of people who has to save up to afford a West Elm parsons desk. Well guess what - I am, too.

 If you have ever seen my portfolio you would know that every project I have done has been low to medium in budget and has included at least one or two items from West Elm, CB2, and Ikea. I have owned the West Elm parsons desk myself, and I just posted last week about the Ikea Hemnes series of chests and the creative ways that people are using it in projects! I was not belittling the accessible items from those retailers, I was disappointed in the lack of creativity used to put them together. As I said in my post, the combination of many of those things has been done over and over. And is it true or not that we have already seen Ruthie Sommers' house and store published various times?

Is it not true that Lonny is supposed to be inspiring us faithful readers with new and creative ideas and introducing us to new thinkers and designers out there? I love Lonny and that is what I expect from them. So when I saw that two of the projects in one issue were from their own editors, I felt a little disappointed and said so. How is that wrong? If you watch the Nate Berkus show you have already seen everything that was in this issue (including Michelle Adams talking about these products, and Nate's creative directors' offices and homes).

Perhaps you  have a point that I should not have called the products themselves crap, but I referred to everything as crap, even the expensive stuff from Oly and Made Goods, so it was meant to be universally offensive. ;) I wasn't being rude to the people who have to buy those products - I was being rude to the people who are buying those products and putting them together in uncreative ways and calling themselves designers.
And I called out the price of the Pierre Frey fabric to laugh at myself for only being drawn to the most expensive things in the room THAT I CAN'T AFFORD.

Anyhoo, I don't want to lose you as a reader for sure, Anonymous, but I certainly am not going to be sickly sweet and fake on my own blog that expresses my own opinions. I reserve the right to post crazy, dramatic, rude, inappropriate opinions for the specific purpose of starting conversations. So I am kinda excited that you commented, even though you didn't understand my post or what I was really disappointed about. Maybe that was my fault for not being more clear, so I am doubly happy that I had the chance to clarify here.
And for everyone else out there who was offended by my post, my sincerest apologies. It wasn't directed at you, it was directed at Anonymous.
Love you lovers!
E

7 comments:

Paula said...

Well said and bravo for standing up for your own opinions!

Boo Hazard said...

I couldn't agree more!! I am so sick of these blogs with the overly sweet and complimentary comments and posts - if we don't critique eachother how will we ever push ourselves to experiment with new ideas?!
It's great to get dialogue going about trends,etc. and our opinions on them... but if you're anonymous how is that a real conversation?? Just my thoughts on the matter!
- BOO

Elizabeth said...

Thanks guys - several of my friends disagreed with me openly - no biggie! That's what we are here for!
Boo - did you see in Ruthie Sommer's house the red console with elephant heads like the desk/table you guys have in the store? You should print that pic and put it in a frame on the table - show people how great it is in a space!
-e

Boo Hazard said...

We actually sold that bad boy the other day!! I knew it would sell fast - it's too awesome to pass on! yeah, i saw that console - I loved it! - BOO

Tracy said...

You can't please all of the people all of the time. Life is too short to take all of this "crap" seriously. It's your blog, post what you want. I'll keep reading. :)

Naomi@DesignManifest said...

Well said sister!!

I actually really enjoyed this issue, but also feel you had a lot of valid points. Oh well can't please everyone, right?

Lonely Wife Project said...

Dudes, I just fell a little more in love with you. Well freaking said my friend!